Written by Markkus Trew, Head of Treatment, Counselling & Aftercare
18 months ago, I attended a book reading and share from the author of ‘No Addict Left Behind’, Dr Joey Pagano, who was visiting the UK with his wife Jodie and a fellow recovering addict well known in the UK, Raymond Ramos, a very well-respected figure in the Narcotics Anonymous 12 step fellowship and recovery community worldwide. Joey’s share was very interesting and fascinating with an American twang and twist to the story but as usual, lots of pain, sadness, hurt, loss and grief leading to him wanting to take his life. The similarities are always the same wherever you are in the world because addiction does not have a nationality. Joey’s story led him to hit his rock bottom, on knees, begging for help and to surrender.
Fortunately, he was able to find the help he needed and since then he has educated himself and found joyful meaningful employment in the field of addiction in the USA, inspiring others to recover. His enthusiasm is infectious, and it was a joy to listen to him and connect with him.
He is now the author of the bestselling book ‘No Addict Left Behind: It’s a Recovery Medicine State of Mind’ and his latest book ‘From Scars to Stars: Revoluntionizing Recovery Through Trauma-Informed Care & Lived Experience’, co-written with his wife Jodie which delves into the intricate relationship between trauma, addiction, and recovery. The Pagano’s share their personal and professional insights as social workers immersed in the battle against substance use disorder, seamlessly blending clinical narratives with lived experiences, the book serves as a guide for anyone touched by addiction-patients, family, or caregivers.
The social worker role in the US has a different connotation and less negative stigma to the UK role. Social workers in the US help people improve their lives by addressing challenges in their personal, family and professional lives. They assess clients’ needs, strengths, and support networks to determine their goals. They research and refer clients to community resources like food stamps, childcare, and healthcare and respond to crisis situations like child abuse and mental health emergencies. Licensed clinical social workers such like Joey counsel and treat mental, behavioural and emotional disorders and are advocates for improved services, systems or policy development.
Joey said he would like to return to England at some point, so I took the opportunity of inviting him to Broadway Lodge to come and talk to the staff and clients from a professional and personal perspective. We are pleased that he accepted, and last month he gave an insightful and inspirational talk in our main hall to clients and staff. His knowledge and experience bridged the gap, applying his professional knowledge, with lived experience as well as leadership, passion and recovery gems for our clients and staff.
It was a pleasure to welcome Joey and Jodie to Broadway Lodge and we look forward to seeing him return with any guests in the future.
